17alpha-alkenyl derivatives of 6alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one



United States Patent 01 3,012,045 l'la-ALKENYL DERIVATIVES F 6a-METHYL-17fi- HYDROXY-19-NOR-4-ANDROSTEN-3-ONE Frank B. Colton, Chicago, and Norman W. Atwater, Arlington Heights, 111., assignors to G. D. Searle & Co.,

Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed June 8, 1959, Ser. No. 818,528 Claims priority, application Great Britain Jan. 22, 1959 2 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.4)

The present invention relates to. a new group of progesterone-like compounds'and more particularly to l7a-alkynyl and l7a-alkenyl derivatives of 6u-methyl- 17,6-hydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3 -one of the general structural formula j on wherein R is a member of the group consisting of lower alkenyl and alkynyl radicals. In the foregoing structural formula the radical R can be an alkenyl radical such as vinyl, allyl, and butenyl or an alkynyl radical such as ethynyl, propynyl, and butynyl.

The compounds of this invention are highly active progesterone-like agents. They thus have the same field of utility as progesterone but have the advantage of a very high order of oral potency. Having a true progesteronelike action, they lack androgenic, anabolic and antiovulatory side effects. Histological assays show that they produce the low columnar epithelial cells in the lining of the uterus characteristic for true progesterone-like drugs. They are thus unlike such ovulation-inhibitors as 170: ethynyl l7B-hydroxy-l9-nor-4-androsten-3-one and androgens, both of which produce a high columnar epithelial cell. A great enhancement in progestational potency over the analogous compounds lacking the G-methyl group is seen, particularly in the l7a-alkenyl compounds. The compounds of this invention difier from the corresponchng 17a-alkyl compounds by their lack of anabolic side reactions.

The compounds of this invention are conveniently prepared by the dehydration of the corresponding saturated 3,012,045 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 added with stirring. The organic layer is separated, washed with water and then a small portion of ethanol is added. The solution is vacuum distilled to dryness and the residue is recrystallized from a m xture of methanol and water to yield 3-ethylenedioxy-19-nor-5-androsten- 175-01 melting at about 137.5-139 C.

Alternatively, a mixture of 45 parts of 17,8-hydroxy-l9- nor-4-androsten-3-one, 1190 parts of benzene, 500 parts of ethylene glycol and 1.35 parts of p-toluenesulfonic acid is treated in the same manner as in the foregoing paragraph of this example to yield the same 3-ethylenedioxy- S-hydroxy derivatives, typically with a dilute base such To a solution of 130 parts of 3B-methoxy-l9-n0r- 2,5 (l0)-androstadien-17,8-ol in 2200 parts of benzene and 516 parts of ethylene glycol are added 3 parts of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. The mixture is stirred and refluxed with a water separator in the vapor path for about 24 hours. The mixture is cooled and then 1000 parts of a 5% aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate are 19-nor-5 -andr0sten- 175-01.

Example 2 A solution of 31 parts of 3-ethylenedioxy-l9-nor-5(6)- androsten-l7B-ol in 294 parts of pyridine and 162 parts of acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for about 15 hours. The solution is then diluted with 2000 parts of water and the solid is collected by filtration and washed with water. Upon recrystallization from a mixture of acetone and water, and then from diisopropyl ether there is obtained 3-ethylenedioxy-l7fiacetoxy-19-nor-5(6)-androstene melting at about 173- 175.5 C.

Example 3 To the slurry obtained by the addition of 0.9 part of anhydrous sodium acetate to a solution of 3.65 parts of 3-ethylenedioxy-17/3-acetoxy-19-nor-5 (6)-androstene in 45 parts of benzene are added with stirring 39.7 parts of a 0.28 M solution of peroxybenzoic acid in benzene. The mixture is protected from atmospheric moisture and stirred for 4 hours at room temperature. The mixture is Washed with a 2% aqueous solution of sodium carbonate until the washings are basic and then with water. The resulting benzene solution is evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is recrystallized from diisopropyl ether to yield 3-ethylenedioxy-5a,6a-epoxy-17/S-acet0xy- 19-norandrostane melting at about 170-171 C.

Example 4 To a solution of 0.8 part of 3-ethylenedioxy-5a,6aepoxy-l7fi-acetoxy-l9-norandrostane in parts of tetrahydrofuran are added 17 parts of a 3 molar solution of methylmagnesium bromide in ethyl ether. The solvent is distilled from the reaction mixture until the temperature reaches 60 (3., whereupon themixture is refluxed for 24 hours while it is protected from atmospheric moisture. The excess Grignard reagent is decomposed by the addition of Water, and the mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to dryness. The residue is recrystallized from diisopropyl ether to yield 6,8-methyl3-ethylenedioxy-l9-norandrostane-5a, 17,8-diol showing a double melting point at l1ll12.5 C. and C.

Example 5 To a solution of 0.20 part of 6,8-methyl-3-ethylenedioxy-19-norandrostane-5a,l7fl-diol in 8.6 parts of toluene and 1.9 parts of cyclohexanone is added a solution of 0.14 part of aluminum isopropoxide in 3.4 parts of toluene. The mixture is refluxed for about 30 minutes and then 2 parts of a saturated aqueous solution of potassium sodium tartrate are added. The solvents are removed by steam distillation. The product is collected on a filter and upon recrystallization from diisopropyl ether, there is' obtained pure 6B methyl 3 ethylenedioxy-Sa-hydroxy19-norandrostan-l7-one melting at about 163-165 C.

Example 6 A Grignard reagent is prepared by reacting 78 parts of Z-methallyl chloride with 42 parts of magnesium turnings 3 in 1200 parts of diethyl ether. To a solution of 2 parts of 6,8-methyl-3-ethylenedioxy-5a-hydroxy-9-norandrostanl7-one in 127 parts of tetrahydrofuran are added 100 parts of the slurry of 2-methallylmagnesium chloride in diethyl ether. The solvent is distilled from the reaction mixture until the temperature reaches 55 C., and then the solution is refluxed for 16 hours. The excess Grignard reagent is decomposed by the slow addition of water and the solution is'extractedwith ether. The ether extract is Washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solut on and then an equal volume of benzene is added. The solvents are removed under reduced pressure and the residue is recrystallized from diisopropyl ether to yield 3- ethylenedioxy 6 3 methyl 17a (2 methallyl) l9- nOrandrOStZirle-Soz,17fi-dil. The product may be obtained either as prisms upon the slow cooling of the diisopropyl other solution or as slender needles by the rapid cooling of a supersaturated diisopropyl ether solution. The prisms show a melting point of about 153154 C. and the needle show a melting point of about 167-1675 C.

Substitution of a Grignard reagent obtained by reacting 9.8 parts of allyl chloride With 6.3 parts of magnesium turnings in 180 parts of diethyl ether for the Grignard reagent obtained by reacting Z-methallyl chloride with magnesium turnings in the procedure of the first paragraph of this example yields 3-ethylenedioxy-6fi-methyl- 17cz-allyl-19-I101aI1CiI'O5t2Il6-5oc,17I3-di0l melting at about 1605-164 C.

Example 7 A solution of 047 part of 3-ethylenedioxy-6 fl-methyl- 17a (2 methallyl)-19-norandrostane-5a,17,8-diol in 18 parts of glacial acetic acid and 4.5 parts of water is heated for about minutes on a steam bath and then diluted to a volume of about 150 parts with water. The solid is collected by filtration and upon recrystallization from a mixture of acetone and water and then from diisopropyl ether there is obtained 5a,17,8-dihydroxy-6fi-methyl-17a- (Z-methallyl)-19-norandrostan-3-one melting at about 174175.5 C.

Substitution of an equimolar amount of 3-ethylenedioxy-6/3-methyl-17a-allyl-19-norandrostane 50;,175 diol for the 3-ethylenedioxy-6fi-methyl-17a-(2-methallyl)-19- norandrostane-5a,17B-diol in the preceding paragraph of this example yields 5a,17 8-dihydroxy-6fl-methyl-17a-allyl- 19-norandrostan-3-one melting at about 191-193 C.

Example 8 A solution of 0.38 part of 5a,17fi-dihydroxy-6fl-methyl- 17a-(2-methallyl)-19-norandrostan-3-one in 16 parts of ethanol and 4 parts of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution is refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for about 4 hours. The solution is then diluted with water to incipient crystallization and after cooling, the compound is collected by filtration. In this manner there is obtained 6ozmethyl 17,6 hydroxy 17a (2 methallyl) 19 nor- 4-androsten-3-one. The compound shows absorption in the ultraviolet at 241 millimicrons with an extinction coeflicient of about 15,800. It has infrared absorption bands at 2.78, 3.28, 6.01, 6.20, and 11.17 microns.

Substitution of an equimolar amount of 5oz,17[3-dil1ydroxy-6fi-methyl-17u-al1yl-l9-norandrostan-3-one for the 50;,175 dihydroxy 6f? methyl 17a (2 methallyl)- 19-norandrostan-3-one in the preceding paragraph of this example yields 6a-methyLI7fi-hydr0xy-17a allyl-19-nor-4- androsten-3-one. The compound shows absorption in the ultraviolet at 241 millimicrons with a molecular extinction coefiicient of 16,100. It has absorption bands in the infrared at2.80, 3.27, 6.00, 6.20, and 11.30 microns.

Example 9 A mixture of 9 parts of finely divided potassium hydroxide in 50 part out dirnethyl ether of diethylene glycol and 2.5 parts of the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol is cooled to 5 C. and then saturated with acetylene gas. To this mixture is added a solution of 1.5 parts of 3 eth ylenedioxy-5a-hydroxy-6fi-methyl-l9-norandrostan- 17-one in 10 parts of dimethyl ether of diethylene glycol. The reaction mixture is stirred at 5 C. and acetylene gas is passed through the solution for an additional 90 minutes. Then about 400 parts of water are added and the product is collected by filtration. Upon recrystallization from aqueous methanol there is obtained .6B-methyl- 3 ethylenedioxy 17cc ethynyl 19 norandrostane- 5a,l7,B-diol melting at about 183-184 C.

Substitution of an equimolar amount of 6B-methyl-3- ethylenedioxy 17a ethynyl 19 norandrostane 5a, 17,8-diol for the 3-ethylenedioxy-6,8-methyl-17a-(Z-methallyl)-19-norandrostane-5a,17,6-diol used in the first paragraph of Example 7 yields 5a,l7p-dihydroxy-6B-methyl- 17ct-ethynyl-l9-norandrostan-3-one melting at about 208- 211 C.

A solution of 0.4 part of 5a,17,6-dihydroxy-6fi-methyl- 17a-ethynyl-l9-norandrostan-3-one in 16 parts of ethanol and 4 parts 01 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution is refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere forabout 4 hours. The solution is then diluted with water to incipient crystallization and after cooling, the compound is collected by filtration. In this manner there is obtained 6a-methyl-17fi-hydroxy-lh-ethynyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one. The compound shows absorption in the untraviolet at 241 millimicrons with an extinction coefiicient of about 16,200.

Example 10 A solution of 7.4 parts of 3-ethylenedioxy-65-methyll7tx-ethynyl-l9-norandrostane-5a,l7fi-diol in parts of tetrahydrofuran is refluxed for 5 hours with 25 parts of a solution of ethylmagnesium bromide in ether. Then 14.2 parts of methyl iodide are added and the solution is refluxed for 6 hours. The solution is allowed, to stand for 15 hours at room temperature and then the excess Grignard reagent is destroyed by the slow addition of about 300 parts'of water. The aqueous l yer is separated and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extracts are combined, Washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and vacuum distilled to dryness.

This residue, 3-ethylenedioxy-6fi-methyl-17a-( l-propynyl)-l9-norandrostane-5a,17,6-diol, is taken up in 40 parts of methanol and 2 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid in 5 parts of Water are added. The solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for. 6 hours and then 300 parts of water are added. The mixture is extracted with ether; the extract is washed with a 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and water and then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent is removed by vacuum distillation and the residue is taken up in benzene and applied to a chromatography column containing silica gel. The column is developed with benzene and benzene solutions containing an increasing amount of ethyl acetate. Upon elution with a 5% solution of ethyl acetate in benzene and recrystallization from diisopropyl ether there is obtained 6a-methyl-17-hydroxy- 17oc-( l-propynyl)-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one. The product shows absorption in the ultraviolet at 241 millimicrons with an extinction coefiicient of 16,000. Absorption bands in the infrared are observed at 2.80, 6.00 and 6.18 microns. This compound can also be prepared by the procedure of Example 9.

Example 11 Substitution of an equimolar amount of ethyl iodide for methyl iodide in the procedure of Example 10 and recrystallization of the final product from aqueous methanol yields 6ot-methyl-17-hydroxy-17a-(butynyl)-19- nor-4-androsten-3-one. The compound shows absorption in the ultraviolet at 240 millimicrons with an extinction coeflicient of about 15,700. Absorption bands are observed in the infrared at 2.77, 5.99 and 6.20 microns. This compound can also be prepared by the procedure of Example 9.

What is claimed is: 1. A compeund 0f the formula wherein R is an alkenyl radical of less than 5 carbon atoms.

References flies! in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Colton Mar. 22, Cohen Oct. 25, Djerassi et a1. May 1, Colton June 10, Colton et a1 Fume 16,

OTHER REFERENCES 2. Goa-methyl 17u-metha11y1 175 hydrox -19 fiGf-4- androsten-S-one.

Hartley et a1.: J. Pharm. & PharmacoL, pages 929-34, 15 December 1957. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA 